“It’s unfortunate. It’s injustice. He needs to fix our apartment already. I don’t understand why he waits so long to do what he needs to do,” Navas said.

Israel, who owns a number of buildings, has been cited with 85 code violations at 98 Linden St., as well as hundreds of other violations at a half dozen other buildings.

According to his tenants’ lawyer, Israel was trying to use intimidating tactics to get them out.

“He thinks the longer my clients don’t have a kitchen or bathroom they would give up. But they’re not going to. What would he do? Probably renovate the apartments and raise the rent,” attorney Brent Meltzer said.

Israel’s attorney said in a statement, the building is unstable and must be temporarily vacated.

“We are in court today as part of our continuing efforts to make the repairs as quickly and safely as possible, and will welcome the tenants back, as is their right, once the work is completed,” said Glenn Spiegel, attorney for JBI Management.

The wheels of the housing court grind slowly with the two sides back for another hearing next week, Slattery reported.

Because repairs have not been made, several months ago the housing court ordered the rent in the apartments be reduced to a dollar per month until repairs are completed.